10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Machine Espresso
2024.07.23 03:33
How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso employs precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the coffee we love. What exactly is it that makes it work?
Espresso is created by forcing hot water at high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, however the main difference lies in the pressure.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter you put in when making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are various kinds of group heads each with its distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are also some that include a mix of features, like the E61 that is to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in a single package.
As you can see from the photo above the head of the group is fitted with a variety of notches. It is possible to place your portafilter inside these notches, and then twist the head to lock it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for an exact positioning of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an even extraction.
In addition to allowing you to easily insert your portafilter, the group head is also responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter to ensure that it's always at the correct temperature for extraction. This is important because just a few degrees could be the difference between a good and excellent espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps that are used in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This is different from manual piston machines that use levers. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps are typically less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines are susceptible to degrading due to excessive use and poor cleaning. They also increase the complexity of mechanical systems and can lead to a high price tag on even the most basic models.
Certain espresso machines remove the pump entirely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that produces steam also warms the water to boil. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.
Many espresso machines make use of either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model makes use of a rotating disk to generate pressure, while a circular model pushes hot liquid through the ground at a fast speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, but the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the element that heats the water to the optimal temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter that contains ground espresso beans and is then pumped into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This results in a layer crema on top. This is a sign of a good espresso.
There are three different types of mini espresso maker machines, each having different pumps and brew temperature. There are a variety of ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of the cup that can be made by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They employed one boiler to make steam and brew, however, the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most commonly used espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine with an electric pump. These are the things people think of when they imagine an espresso machine. If you have a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised consistency.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines use filters to separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temp control, since it stops overheating.
A filter can also help with flavor because it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to release their nuances, and allows for a better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the finest filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, as well as the extraction, are still very important.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, also called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee grounds into) is located when you're making espresso.
In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds at a high pressure. These machines are cheaper and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to produce the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, espresso machines driven by compressed air-pump have become increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to push hot water through grounds and are more portable than electric steam-driven machines.
Machine espresso employs precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the coffee we love. What exactly is it that makes it work?

The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter you put in when making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are various kinds of group heads each with its distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are also some that include a mix of features, like the E61 that is to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in a single package.
As you can see from the photo above the head of the group is fitted with a variety of notches. It is possible to place your portafilter inside these notches, and then twist the head to lock it. A rubber gasket is located within the notches to create a seal while you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for an exact positioning of the portafilter which is vital to ensure an even extraction.
In addition to allowing you to easily insert your portafilter, the group head is also responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter to ensure that it's always at the correct temperature for extraction. This is important because just a few degrees could be the difference between a good and excellent espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps that are used in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure that is required to extract espresso. This is different from manual piston machines that use levers. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps are typically less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines are susceptible to degrading due to excessive use and poor cleaning. They also increase the complexity of mechanical systems and can lead to a high price tag on even the most basic models.
Certain espresso machines remove the pump entirely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that produces steam also warms the water to boil. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.
Many espresso machines make use of either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model makes use of a rotating disk to generate pressure, while a circular model pushes hot liquid through the ground at a fast speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, but the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the element that heats the water to the optimal temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter that contains ground espresso beans and is then pumped into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This results in a layer crema on top. This is a sign of a good espresso.
There are three different types of mini espresso maker machines, each having different pumps and brew temperature. There are a variety of ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of the cup that can be made by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They employed one boiler to make steam and brew, however, the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese producers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most commonly used espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine with an electric pump. These are the things people think of when they imagine an espresso machine. If you have a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanised consistency.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines use filters to separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temp control, since it stops overheating.
A filter can also help with flavor because it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to release their nuances, and allows for a better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the finest filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, as well as the extraction, are still very important.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, also called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee grounds into) is located when you're making espresso.
In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds at a high pressure. These machines are cheaper and are easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to produce the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, espresso machines driven by compressed air-pump have become increasingly popular. They use an air compressor to push hot water through grounds and are more portable than electric steam-driven machines.